Good idea Dave. I have some vinyl that should be perfect

 

I got the shop to give me the broken headlight back. Might was well keep the ballasts/bulbs for spares.

 

Shop emailed me and said "looks like the Nismo takes about 3 extra hours of labor". Can you consider paying half?

I looked over Dave's instructions and he states that the ENTIRE process takes 3 hours. So that's where they got that number. Here's the problem. Dave's instructions include the removal and installation. This labor was already accounted for on the original estimate. Removal and installation after the modfication should be almost indentical.

The only thing that would make this different is the actual modification process. Which should be what? 30 - 45 min at most?

I'm not too happy that they tried to get me to pay for 1.5 hours of work when their actual extra time is less than 1/2 that.

 

^No, an actual OEM Nismo front takes no extra time at all.
The only way they could count extra time would be swapping the grill from one bumper to the other, but if it was removed anyway, that should be accounted for in the labor estimate.

As for modification, all you have to do is knock off two aluminum blocks that are riveted on. That takes about 90seconds with a hammer and screwdriver.

 

Thanks. I was going "WTF" and immediately went to Dave's instructions. After I emailed her back, she hasn't said anything. She probably realized her "mistake"

 

That's funny. The only extra labor involved is removing the aluminum blocks (I think I drilled out the rivets) and transferring those parts for the cornering lamps. It should take a tech no more than 30 minutes to do total, possibly less since they have the directions.

 

They are gonna try to get as much money from u as they can. U brought in a already painted bumper. If it had any chips it will take longer to prep than brand new bumper.

 

I ended up negotiating it the right way and I didn't pay anything extra. As I think the tech finally figured that it wasn't difficult at all.

Got the car back. Bumper fits great and they repainted the front of the hood as part of the blending.

 

The Aero was brand new. Painted but never installed. I bought it from Riverside way back. I think someone ordered one and never picked it up or it got painted the wrong color.

How long do I wait until I wax? I think it's like 3-4 weeks?

I haven't even had time to open the hood yet and inspect the other work. Will take pics etc.. soon.

 

^My painter told me 3 months :/

 

Finally pics:
Condition as received. Pretty much mint:




After. Great job. Headlight was reconditioned. Looks new. Shop tried to polish the other one the best they could. I might try to sand/polish it again.




Bonus. Bro put a set of G37 wheels on his 03 m45: Bad pic:

 

^There may be damage on the inside of the lens. That was the case with mine.
It wasn't bad enough to worry with. A few people have said reconditioning the inside of the lens is a big pain.
I have a spare set to play around with though.

The bumper looks good man

 

I suspect that too. I think it might be best to try to get a set of ebay halogens or a damaged set of lights and swap lenses?

 

you LUCKED OUT with that nismo front bro

 

Yup. But I actually got it over a year ago.